Can someone tell me some very cheap ideas for an outdoor wedding?

Question

We already have a spot picked out.. its at my mothers house in the country, with a big pond in the back yard, with trees all around it, i already have a dress, but i need some ideas on the seating and things. I would really appreciate any info you have to give, the big day is June 16th by the way i need to hurry. I havent even sent out the invitations yet, we are BROKE!!!

Answer 1

For starters have a BBQ that will be easy and cheap. Also have the bridesmaids and groomsmen buy an outfit that they will actually wear later. That's a good way to defray some costs.

Answer 2

I like the idea of the christmas lights in the trees and the floating candles in the pond. We considered an outdoor wedding at a beautiful arboretum, but weren't allowed to bring more than 16 chairs so we we're going to try to beg/borrow and steal a bunch of blankets for guests to sit on on the ground, very casual. My fiance didn't really like that "hippie" idea though.=) The biggest way we're saving money is by finding people we know who can contribute their services, cake, photos... so start asking around. They sell print your own invitation kits at Micheals, Target and Staples, but Micheals usually has a coupon for 40% off one purchase in the sunday paper, so...watch out for those. We're buying two kinds of flowers in bulk, ask your florist, and will have to do some work with them, but will save money that way. You could also do hay bales for seating, find someone to let you use them for the day and then return them, but that may be too country for you. The other thing that's helped us has been buying things a little at a time, like whenever we have an extra 50 bucks we go buy alcohol. Good luck and congrats.

Answer 3

My wedding was a very similar situation. We had it in the evening so to have the sun setting which made it just beautiful. Also it's not as hot at that time.

-white Christmas lights, our own and borrowed. Always adds an extra sparkle.

-paper lanterns - get some nice scrapbook paper (thick, card stock quality) or card stock with designs printed from your computer and make the ones like you did when you were a kid. Sort of a grownup version. Attach ribbons to the bottom to hang down. Those would look great in the trees and if you use the Christmas lights you wouldn't have to worry about lighting in them.

-if you don't want to use Christmas lights you could use all sorts of glass containers hung with wire with small tealights in them. Even a mason jar takes on a whole new look with a candle.

-since this is a home wedding and usually more personal and intimate, have your family make the food for the reception. Give each person a dish to make. That will save you tons!

-try to find a wholesale florist to buy your flowers. If you find a nice one they will be so helpful with information, including how to prepare the flowers to be assembled into bouquets arrangements etc. Then ask the most creative friend you have to assemble the bouquets. An easy way if this is not an option...group the flowers together, attach a ribbon at the top of them stems with a corsage pin then tightly wrap the ribbon down the stems. At the bottom cut the excess ribbon and pin with another corsage pin.

-use anyones plants to put around the yard....tie bows around the containers.

-since it will be close to the fourth of July and you will be in the country, consider buying some fireworks for the reception (if it is outside) I did this and everyone loved it. I spent about $150.00 on four large, very showy fireworks.

-since you have a pond in the yard...see if you can find some cheap floating candles on the internet or at a dollar store. that would look great. You might could even have heart balloons with the tie part weighted down (fishing weights - very inexpensive) to stand upright and float on the pond. I just thought of that off the top of my head...that's a darn good idea!....lol

-save your aluminum cans, remove the labels, then spray paint to hold small group of flowers. You might could dress them up a little with some hand painted scrolls (or sponge on the scrolls with a templete you can buy at any store that has craft stuff or a simple bow. Or use a nail and hammer to poke holes in the sides and use as luminaries.

-buy round floral foam...the kind that soaks up water. Soak them in water for a few minutes then take carnations (usually very cheap) cut the stems to 1 1/2 inches below the flower then stick them in the ball until it is completely covered. attach a ribbon with corsage pin and hang where ever.

Answer 4

eek an outdoor wedding (as I have recently learned) is not cheap. After youre done paying for the tent, tables, chairs, etc. it adds up. That being said...the only things that I have found that I can do myself to save money have been to make

the centerpieces (we got votice candle holders from Michaels when they were on sale 3/$1.00 and glued a ribbon with a bow around it; and we got larger vases in a similar style for the actual centerpiece into which we will put flowers);

the invitations can be done yourself (we have a friend doing ours, but I think there are stationary stores where you can get the stuff cheap)

the photography (if you can find an ametuer photographer that would be best)

the flower arrangements (only get the bride's bouquet professionally done, get the rest of the flowers from a wholesaler)

the cake (although there have been quite a few people who advised against this...hope it isnt a disaster!)

Good luck! & Congrats!!

Answer 5

Borrow as many white christmas lights that you can and make the place a fairy tale dream. Ask friends and family if they have a card table or some sort of outdoor table & chairs to set up for the party. If you are broke and this is a casual wedding and you have hang loose friends and family......make the party a potluck. Ask some to bring a bottle of wine of soda,. Find a friend who can make cakes for a reasonable price. Put disposable cameras all around and ask people to take pictures. Have a friend with a good digital camera to take some more formal pictures.

Cut corners however you can. I personally think $29,000 weddings are a waste of money.

Answer 6

You can custom order invitations from places like Hallmark stores, card/gift shops, and party supply stores. Michael's has invitations kits or you can have someone make them on a computer. Go with a country theme. Get country fabrics/designs and cut to size so it drapes (diamond angle) over white tableclothes. Get old mason jars from thrift shops to use as vases for the tables or you can use twig wreaths and add flowers and small birds. You can also use small and medium sized bales of hay from craft stores as centerpieces. Get the mason jars with handles to drink from. Fried chicken and mashed potatoes/gravy is inexpensive and goes with the country theme. For the cake, create two large blocks, one resting on the other at an angle and cover with light brown dyed coconut to create two bales of hay! You can even use mix and match plates, flatware, etc. for a country look.

Answer 7

Have someone build a archway and decorate it with artificial flowers or buy a gazebo. There are usually older women in churches who know how to decorate and make wedding cakes. Find a crafty person to help with the flowers, It helps if they have worked for a florist or has experience doing it (see examples). You can advertises for these services but the best way is word of mouth or contact artistic friends and find out if they have ever made flower arrangements. I love to help people do these things and I am sure in your town there are people who would do these things free or minimal cost.

Answer 8

Sounds like my problem, we havent even gotten close to a location yet, Congratulations. A trellis with a lot of flowers, a bunch of folding tables and chairs.....oh and byob hahaha

Answer 9

have guests byo chairs, borrow tables/trestles from friends, have your hair and bridesmaids done by someone in a training school fairly cheap ( older apprentices obviously, not newbies!), have aunt mabel bake your wedding cake and any other goodies, i loved the idea of a bring a plate instead of a present (you don't really want three toasters and four irons do you ?). Good luck !

Answer 10

That sounds nice. Just plan a meal on the budget you have and the guests you are expecting.